Spiritual Care Workshop for the High Holy Days
Main ContentOn September 2, 2010, 40 Israeli pioneers in the field of Spiritual Care gathered for a one-day workshop to prepare for the High Holy Days. Throughout Israel, there is a growing network of organizations and initiatives promoting professional and volunteer Spiritual Counseling. HUC-JIR's Mezorim program of the Blaustein Center for Spiritual Counseling has been at the forefront of this growing movement, which has been nurtured and supported by the UJA Federation of New York.
Rabbi Rachel Cowan, Executive Director and visionary founder of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, was the featured speaker. She shared her years of experience in the first steps of Jewish healing and Jewish wellness, offering knowledge and techniques to help us understand the role of spiritual care and spiritual direction.
The day was organized by Dr. Ruchama Weiss, who oversees all the programs at the Blaustein Center. Chani Kroyzer, Director of B'Ruach at the Shaare Tzedek Hospital, taught the participants. Also represented was the CPE program at Machon Schechter.
This was a successful gathering for this emerging field that seeks the wisdom and insight from each others' efforts and experience.
Founded in 1875, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion is North America's leading institution of higher Jewish education and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism. HUC-JIR educates leaders to serve North American and world Jewry as rabbis, cantors, educators, and nonprofit management professionals, and offers graduate programs to scholars and clergy of all faiths. With centers of learning in Cincinnati, Jerusalem, Los Angeles, and New York, HUC-JIR's scholarly resources comprise the renowned Klau Library, The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, museums, research institutes and centers, and academic publications. In partnership with the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis, HUC-JIR sustains the Reform Movement's congregations and professional and lay leaders. HUC-JIR's campuses invite the community to cultural and educational programs illuminating Jewish heritage and fostering interfaith and multiethnic understanding. www.huc.edu